Normal creatine kinase enzymes, but moderately elevated total CK

[mcs]

Those more familiar with CK.

Results below.

Liver and kidney markers all within range.

How can totals CK be elevated if the CK enzymes are within range?

Perhaps a high protein diet and dehydration from fasting for the test can cause elevated total but normal enzymes? If it was from heavy training prior to testing, then I would think my CK-MM would be elevated since that's reflective of muscle damage.

 

[mcs]

Follow up testing with the following interpretation:
Presence of atypical electrophoretic band consistent with macro - CK Type I, 8 % of total CK.

Anybody have a clue what the heck this means?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Do you exercise? Your CPK is actually lower than most of us.


For more on isoenzymes: Creatine Kinase (CK), Total Plus Isoenzymes Test

 

[mcs]

Do you exercise? Your CPK is actually lower than most of us.


For more on isoenzymes: Creatine Kinase (CK), Total Plus Isoenzymes Test

Thanks, Nelson. Yes, I train 4-5 day/s week, but never had an increase before. I also do carnitine and other nutrient injections and am thinking IM injections may cause a rise as well.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Increases in CPK and liver enzymes are typical in people who hit it hard at the gym.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing or clinically relevant.

My CPK goes up to 800 easily. But some of the meds I take may also have an effect.

 

[mcs]

Increases in CPK and liver enzymes are typical in people who hit it hard at the gym.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing or clinically relevant.

My CPK goes up to 800 easily. But some of the meds I take may also have an effect.

The part I cannot understand is how can my CK levels be slightly elevated, but my CK isozenymes are all within range, or in the case of CK-MM which is specific to muscle damage, was low. In other words, if I had muscle injury, my CK-MM would be elevated. My concern now is with doing large repeated IM injections and whether that's inducing some sort of low-grade muscle injury.